Problems requesting Fixapost

[Quantam]

Hello, has anyone had problems ordering Fixapost preservative free drops from their GP surgery?

My surgery say I have to go back to my Consultant to get them. I asked why when the only difference is whether you want a preservative in them or not. They replied it is down to cost. When I asked what the price difference was as I am happy to pay ay the difference they strangely couldn't tell me!

This is frustrating as It will be a long time before I see my Consultant again!

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi Quantam. I have to admit I don't understand this either. You should be able to get a repeat prescription from your GP, even if they are preservative free and cost a bit more. It doesn't sound right and you shouldn't have to pay the difference either. Contact the eye secretary at the hospital to ask for advice on this. You don't want to wait until your next visit as you need the drops and don't want to run out.

[Jafffa in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

Its a wider supply problem. I have also had problems with getting Fixapost. My regular local pharmacy simply cannot get any. For over a month now. My specialist eye consultant’s PA emailed that even they can’t get any for their surgery pharmacy in London. So its a pretty serious. I am almost out of it but I still have a bottle of DuoTrav that I was prescribed before by the same consultant for my glaucoma. So that might help, but he switched me to Fixapost because the other drops stopped working so well after a couple of years or so (eyes get immune maybe).

[Ktpink]

Hi Quantam, I use these drops and my gp issues repeat scripts without issue. I’mNot sure what the problem would be for you if you were previously directed to take these by your clinic. Are you wanting to change to preservative free version simply? I work in a gp surgery and that sort of request can be submitted to the Dr or practice pharmacist who happily change. If there remains a problem I would phone your eye clinic, speak to one of the specialist nurses and ask them to drop a note to your surgery. Hope you get sorted.

[floki7]

I had this problem, but phoned the eye clinic who sent the prescription via email to my GP, who really should have done that in the first place. Good luck

[Lovemy2woofs]

Sounds purely like the GP is trying to save money , they do it all the time , looking at issuing things that cost cheaper , suppose it depends on the practices budget , some have more than others . That’s fine if it’s like for like , but not when the product is not what patient wants

[Quantam]

Thanks to everyone for the useful advice, I will start with the eye clinic!

[Beecalmed]

I’ve only had a problem getting a preservative free drop from my gp once when the original preservative free drop (in my case Dorzolamide) that was supplied in a bottle suddenly had a supply issue and was unavailable. The doctors prescription staff could see another brand of the same preservative free drop on the NHS website (Trusopt) but as it only came in individual phials this made them much more expensive and consequently special prescription by consultant only. My doctors needed a confirmation from my consultant to issue the different drop, if I remember correctly. Once the consultant named the product I got them no problem. So yes, as said, telephone your consultants secretary and explain the issue that should get it resolved.👍🏻

[JanD236]

Over the years I’ve had problems getting preservative free Cosopt (Dorzolimide/Timolol) due to supply issues.

I’ve usually managed by phoning round different chemists until I find one that has stocks of it.

I always make sure I order well in advance now.

[Quantam]

Thanks all!